Does having a low level job affect men and women differently?

This article aims to examine gender and cohort differences inlife-course occupational mobility in Britain and in particularthe strength of the effects of career entry on subsequent upwardor downward mobility. Does a ‘bad start’ in workinglife typically result in being trapped in the bottom tier ofthe occupational hierarchy or can it represent a stepping-stonetowards more rewarding positions? Are there any gender differencesin the effects of low entry occupations on subsequent careers?If so, are these differences stable or changing over time? Usinglarge-scale data from the National Child Development Study andthe British Cohort Study, we investigate individuals’occupational careers between the ages of 16 and 34 using anoccupational scale based on the hourly average earnings of full-timeworkers. Although women’s and men’s career patterns in Britainhave become more similar over time, women face the greatestand growing hindrance to career advancement from low level entryjobs. Entering at the bottom of the occupational hierarchy ismore likely to represent a trap for women, while for men itis rather a stepping-stone to more favourable positions.

Source: “Bad Start: Is There a Way Up? Gender Differences in the Effect of Initial Occupation on Early Career Mobility in Britain” from European Sociological Review 2010 26(4):431-446

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